Hey Guys, I just got my first Carver setup last night, and I love it. More on that in another thread. Right now I need help connecting my system together. I searched this forum for a few hours and either didnt find what I was looking for or didnt quite understand what I was reading. I am still new to this kind of equipment.

I want the elite to decode Bluray audio, receive all component connections, Control volume.

I do not want to use any other processing or equalizing to be done by the Pioneer

I want to C-1 to be used to equalize the sound and be able to use the sonic holography for when I want to enjoy two channel.

The sound of the C-1 is far superior then the elite so I prefer to use that.

Is what I want even possible, it seems like it should be but I would rather defer to the experienced. I have read something about using tape out on the Pioneer. I do have that option on the back but I do not understand how it works or if it will do what I am looking for.

Thanks for any help

Last edited by specd_out on Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Specs below for your unit. Pre-outs available for the amp, I believe you can plug in a turn-table and or a CD player into the C-1 then the C-1 pre-out into an analog input such as CD or whichever on the Pioneer. Configured this way you can still use the Pioneer to its fullest with the M-1.0t running the mains full time. When you want to use the C-1 simply set the Pioneer to that setting.

jjptkd wrote:Specs below for your unit. Pre-outs available for the amp, I believe you can plug in a turn-table and or a CD player into the C-1 then the C-1 pre-out into an analog input such as CD or whichever on the Pioneer. Configured this way you can still use the Pioneer to its fullest with the M-1.0t running the mains full time. When you want to use the C-1 simply set the Pioneer to that setting.

Ok that makes sense. Understanding what preamp does, and adjusting the volume basically just increases voltage, at what volume level would be recommend to leave the c-1 at. I dont want to over load the Inputs on the Pioneer.

Are you using the Pioneer/C-1/M1.0 as pure stereo(?) ...or as the mains in an HT?

Anyone have any idea where i should set the volume level on the C-1. I dont want to over load the inputs on my Pioneer

As I read your post and understand the question, that is entirely up to you, which is completely subjective. Regardless of whether you're using this gear as a pure stereo or as the mains in an HT, nothing will be overloading the Pioneer regardless of settings; you are merely using it as the signal source for the C-1, as a DAC/decoder in particular. What you do with the signal after that does not affect it, whether it's turning it up or down on the C-1.

I have similar components to my Stereo/AV system but might run it slightly different. I use my receiver (Integra 7.6) as a DAC and multichannel processor (phantom center) as well. I also have a C-1 for my mains, but also use a C-2 preamp for my rears and my front and rears are bi-amped to their own subs, so use the 'sub off' mode. When I want to listen to pure stereo however, I have components plugged directly into the C-1 and the processor is not even in the chain -well, unless I'm using it as a DAC at that time or I'm in multichannel mode. If I'm using my Integra as a DAC like you are planning with your Pioneer, I generally keep the volume knob on the C-1 with the marking dot at 12 o clock and use the volume function of the receiver which is nice cause it has a remote. ^_^ Ultimately though, for pure stereo listening, bypassing the receiver and plugging directly into the C-1 sounds better, but makes you have to use the volume knob on it and there ain't no remote for that!

If you are using this in multichannel, to be more specific in answering the question depends on how prominent you want your mains to be in relation to the other speakers, but you would use the receiver's built in level calibration tones (RTFM) to find the happy spot and take note of the position of the volume knob on the C-1 that correlates with volume levels to match the mains to the other speakers outputs, so you can get it back to that spot if you move it.

There is really no good reason to not have a bad ass stand alone stereo as your mains in a larger HT setup, other than cool points from the purists. The C-1 has many inputs, and only one of those has to be connected to the HT receiver...

sisu1a wrote:There is really no good reason to not have a bad ass stand alone stereo as your mains in a larger HT setup, other than cool points from the purists.

Totally agree, did that for years myself but on the flip side, there is absolutely no need for a bad-ass 2 channel setup to be integrated into your home theater. Most situations you can get a much more balanced, better sound for movies with much less. Room limitations or budget constraints should be the only reason to combine the 2 in my opinion.

sisu1a wrote:There is really no good reason to not have a bad ass stand alone stereo as your mains in a larger HT setup, other than cool points from the purists.

Totally agree, did that for years myself but on the flip side, there is absolutely no need for a bad-ass 2 channel setup to be integrated into your home theater. Most situations you can get a much more balanced, better sound for movies with much less. Room limitations or budget constraints should be the only reason to combine the 2 in my opinion.

Ok now I understand what you guys are telling me to do. It makes more sense when i viewed my pioneer as another "component" going into my C-1 rather then my C-1 as a equalizer going into my Pioneer.

I love my Pioneer but It doesnt compare to my C-1 for quality 2ch. I could always purchase another cd player and be able to keep my pioneer out of the loop completely giving me a pure 2 channel. For now i will keep my 2 channel and Ht integrated. Maybe at some point I can have dedicated systems.